Hello, I'm new to mystery.net. I'm an "aspiring" writer, have written a couple of pulp-fiction-type books, but would really like to write a straightforward, country house mystery. I don't have trouble with characters and settings but I need help with the mystery itself. Does anyone have any suggestions re: how to develop a mystery? How does one come up with the puzzle, the solution? Thanks so much.

Susan Meyers - 04:19pm Feb 4, 2005 PST(#1 of 10)
"A room without books is like a body without a soul" Cicero

Hi. I'm not sure how long your post has been here. Like you, I am good at writing the characters and settings, but plotting is hard for me. I'm in the middle of my second mystery novel and I know I'll get there, but, lol, it's hard!
Susan

AT AW - 02:20am Feb 10, 2005 PST(#2 of 10)
Futile attempt: Trying to concentrate on work or whatever else with this site open! <~_^>

Hi, I recently created a plot -- and am trying to get myself to actually write it out. Sigh!

Since you've already written one, how did you get yourself to write it?

As far as plotting is concerned, I just keep a separate page for characters and write the main ones. Then I decide the crime and where it happened. Then I decide what actually happened and why. Then I think of how the murderer hides himself or herself.

In the meantime I keep adding all the characters that crop up in the plot to the character list page.

I also plot the discovery as in what needs to be discovered to determine the identity of the criminal. And after that how it is discovered.

Sigh! Sorry for the lengthy post

Susan Meyers - 03:09pm Feb 17, 2005 PST(#3 of 10)
"A room without books is like a body without a soul" Cicero

Hello:-)
I just start writing. Lol, I know that sounds simple, but once I've got the plot, I start writing scenes. I don't always write my books from beginning to end. Some scenes are just so vivid that I need to get them down on paper. As I write, I insert the scenes, making plot adjustments as I go.
Good luck with your book.
God bless,
Susan

AT AW - 09:24pm Feb 20, 2005 PST(#4 of 10)
Futile attempt: Trying to concentrate on work or whatever else with this site open! <~_^>

I guess thatz a good idea. I will try that! Sigh! I hope it'll work out!

Joanna Radcliffe - 07:16pm Mar 15, 2005 PST(#5 of 10)
Life is a mystery, it is your job to figure out the ending.

I love to write, but I always come down with a major case of "Writer's Block." Does anyone have any suggestions as how to get over it?

AT AW - 09:42pm Mar 15, 2005 PST(#6 of 10)
Futile attempt: Trying to concentrate on work or whatever else with this site open! <~_^>

Not really... I too have got the same. I think in my case it is because I'm scared to write... scared that no one will like it and that people will somehow be able to decipher my inner feelings. I know it is silly but can't help it!

One way to beat writer's block is to introduce something new ... a new character, problem or some other element to get the juices running again. Just make sure it's not random and you tie it in with your story somehow. It could be as simple as a change in weather. Just add a fresh spark and see what it does.